Alive & Thrive (A&T) is a 5-year initiative (2009-2013) to improve infant and young child nutrition by increasing rates of exclusive breastfeeding and improving complementary feeding practices. A&T aims to reach more than 16 million children under 2 years old in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Viet Nam. Initial funding for Alive & Thrive is provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.


Alive & Thrive (A&T) awarded grants to eight recipients for the first round of its Small Grants Program and Eminence received grants for Assessing the cost and effectiveness of training and supervision of frontline workers on early breastfeeding practices.



This operational research project will take place in Panchagar District in northern Bangladesh. A cluster-randomized trial will be conducted to compare the cost effectiveness of practical training among traditional birth attendants and community volunteers, with or without supportive supervision, in improving early infant feeding practices.


The practices to be measured before and after include delayed cord clamping, early skin-to -kin contact and newborn-led initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, avoidance of the traditional prelacteal feeds, and exclusive breastfeeding during the first few months postpartum.


For detail, please visit http://www.aliveandthrive.org/news/2010/april/14/alive-thrive-announces-small-grants-award-recipients.